Banyan Waterhttp://banyanwater.com
A provider of water management software and services for facilities managers, building owners, sustainability officers and portfolio managers. We reduce operations cost and bring value to what you care about.Tue, 18 Dec 2018 18:09:50 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.1DEPLOYING IOT AND SMART DATA IN THE GLOBAL BATTLE FOR WATERhttp://banyanwater.com/deploying-iot-and-smart-data-in-the-global-battle-for-water/
http://banyanwater.com/deploying-iot-and-smart-data-in-the-global-battle-for-water/#respondMon, 17 Dec 2018 21:33:59 +0000http://banyanwater.com/?p=2129How enterprises can control water usage and mitigate portfolio risk

The announcement follows GID’s recent release of its 2017 Sustainability Report in collaboration with Verdani Partners, featuring Banyan’s integration with Mission Pointe in Sunnyvale, California, where Banyan has saved more the 10.6 million gallons of water in the last year. Banyan has also installed its software platform at GID properties in Houston, Texas, and Delray Beach, Florida.

“With Banyan, we’ve reduced water usage at Mission Pointe by more than 50 percent and saved more than $70,000,” said Michael Ferguson, VP of engineering at GID. “We’ve already implemented Banyan’s technology at a number of additional properties and look forward to expanding more in 2018 to continue to reduce operating expenses and improve our water efficiency.”

Banyan Water uses a combination of real-time metering, zone-controlled irrigation and meteorological data to monitor and maintain indoor and outdoor irrigation efficiency. Banyan’s cloud-based software also detects leaks in real time to avoid detrimental property damage and exorbitant water bills.

“Water is the most severely undervalued resource in the country,” said Gillan Taddune, CEO of Banyan Water. “Visualizing water savings through Banyan’s data and analytics platform enables enterprises to not only recognize the environmental advantage that smart technology provides but also the near-immediate increase in asset value.”

]]>http://banyanwater.com/banyan-water-expands-iot-footprint-gid-investment-advisers/feed/0Blazing Trails: How the Cannabis Industry is Dampening America’s Water Problemhttp://banyanwater.com/blazing-trails-cannabis-industry-dampening-americas-water-problem/
http://banyanwater.com/blazing-trails-cannabis-industry-dampening-americas-water-problem/#respondFri, 13 Apr 2018 15:49:02 +0000http://banyanwater.com/?p=1976The legal cannabis movement is quickly sweeping across America. The market is poised for a pivotal 2018, with more than a dozen states considering legalization. Support for legalization is also higher than ever with more than 60 percent of Americans in favor, according to a 2017 CBS News poll. A report from New Frontier […]

]]>The legal cannabis movement is quickly sweeping across America. The market is poised for a pivotal 2018, with more than a dozen states considering legalization. Support for legalization is also higher than ever with more than 60 percent of Americans in favor, according to a 2017 CBS News poll.

A report from New Frontier Data—a data analysis company devoted exclusively to cannabis research—shows the pot industry will create more than 280,000 jobs by 2020. While economic benefits seem to appease the long-standing debate over marijuana legalization, Americans must consider the enormous negative environmental impacts the plant could have.

Indoor growth demands

Legal indoor cannabis growing facilities have a massive energy bill year over year. A 2012 study from Evan Mills, a senior scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that growth facilities accounted for about 1 percent of national electricity use at $6 billion a year. In comparison, the pharmaceutical industry uses $1 billion in energy costs annually.

High energy bills at indoor grow facilities—where other environmental factors can be better controlled—are impacted primarily by the unique lights used to grow cannabis. The indoor lighting consists of high-pressure sodium (HPS) lights that are extremely energy inefficient. The strain on electric grids and the cost to maintain the plants can be astronomical, and while the plant is legal in many states, the government still mandates that cannabis plants be kept out of the public eye, promoting the use of the HPS lighting systems and indoor growing facilities.

Another energy barrier growers face is cannabis’s federally illegal status, restricting rebates for growth supplies. While using LED lights for growth would be more environmentally friendly, they are substantially more expensive. If farmers aren’t guaranteed a return on investment, there is no incentive to “go green.”

Outdoor water demands

Aside from the plant’s electricity demands, marijuana is a water-intensive crop. A recent Humboldt County report revealed that in the northern coastal region of California, it’s estimated that more than 22 liters of water are used per plant per day during the June to October outdoor growing season. The average outdoor marijuana planting density is about 130,000 plants per square kilometer, therefore using about 430 million liters of water per square kilometer for a typical growing season.

According to a 2015 report focusing on the environmental factors of cannabis legalization, The plant is estimated to be almost two times more “thirsty” than wine grapes. The below graphic also illustrates the irrigation requirements for other crops in the California area. While weed is not the highest on the spectrum, it still requires an abundance of water in an extremely drought-stricken area.

Much of the water used to grow cannabis plants come from wetlands and streams that are already struggling with drought. While the environmental footprint of pot plants grown indoors and outdoors can pose a significant environmental threat through greenhouse gas emissions and pesticide application, many argue that legalizing the plant could bring less environmental harm than current farming practices.

A recent report on cannabis cultivation opportunities suggests that if legal cannabis production gains national acceptance, the desire to develop environmentally sound production practices will grow, and policies adopted in early-adopter states like Washington and Colorado may shape practices in the new industry nationwide.

A path to sustainable growth

For crop farmers, unruly irrigation tactics can be an immense source of wasted water. By implementing a water technology system that monitors and measures irrigation flow onsite, cannabis growers can reap the benefits of smart water savings and minimize the plant’s impact on a dwindling critical resource.

]]>http://banyanwater.com/blazing-trails-cannabis-industry-dampening-americas-water-problem/feed/0Banyan Water Celebrates World Water Day with 2.6 Billion Gallons of Water Savingshttp://banyanwater.com/banyan-water-celebrates-world-water-day-2-6-billion-gallons-water-savings/
http://banyanwater.com/banyan-water-celebrates-world-water-day-2-6-billion-gallons-water-savings/#respondThu, 22 Mar 2018 14:43:42 +0000http://banyanwater.com/?p=1971Banyan Water, the leading provider of data-driven water conservation for the built environment, today announced it has saved more than 2.6 billion gallons of water for enterprises in the U.S.

]]>http://banyanwater.com/banyan-water-celebrates-world-water-day-2-6-billion-gallons-water-savings/feed/0Lincoln Centrehttp://banyanwater.com/lincoln-centre/
http://banyanwater.com/lincoln-centre/#respondTue, 20 Mar 2018 15:29:47 +0000http://banyanwater.com/?p=1126Lincoln Centre owned by TIAA-CREF and managed by Cushman &Wakefield, is a premier commercial property located in Dallas, Texas. In 2016, Banyan Water reduced the Lincoln Centre’s outdoor water use by 9.6 million gallons, saving the property almost $40,000 in water bills.

]]>Lincoln Centre owned by TIAA-CREF and managed by Cushman &Wakefield, is a premier commercial property located in Dallas, Texas. In 2017, Banyan Water reduced the Lincoln Centre’s outdoor water use by 9,700,000 gallons, saving the property almost $40,000 in water bills.

]]>http://banyanwater.com/lincoln-centre/feed/0LivCor Multi-Family Asset Managementhttp://banyanwater.com/livcor-multi-family-asset-management/
http://banyanwater.com/livcor-multi-family-asset-management/#respondTue, 20 Mar 2018 15:28:57 +0000http://banyanwater.com/?p=1123LivCor is a real estate asset management firm formed in 2013 as a portfolio company of Blackstone. As a hands-on asset manager of multifamily properties, LivCor looks to Banyan Water to deploy smart water management solutions that increase net operating income across its portfolio of properties while maintaining its beautiful landscapes.

LivCor is a real estate asset management firm formed in 2013 as a portfolio company of Blackstone. As a hands-on asset manager of multifamily properties, LivCor looks to Banyan Water to deploy smart water management solutions that increase net operating income across its portfolio of properties while maintaining its beautiful landscapes.

]]>IMT Residential’s RIATA is the largest multifamily community in Central Texas. As one of Banyan Water’s oldest customers, it has experienced significant irrigation savings; in 2017 alone, Banyan’s smart irrigation solution saved IMT over 52,000,000 Gallons of water.

]]>http://banyanwater.com/riata-resort-apartment-community/feed/0Out of the Deep End: What is water neutrality?http://banyanwater.com/deep-end-water-neutrality/
http://banyanwater.com/deep-end-water-neutrality/#respondMon, 19 Mar 2018 16:11:58 +0000http://banyanwater.com/?p=1954Out of the Deep End: What is water neutrality? By Ian Coughlan Conservation professionals, sustainability technologists and more have been discussing carbon neutrality—balancing your carbon footprint—for a while. To achieve carbon neutrality, enterprises calculate the amount of carbon emitted and actively offset that amount, by either sequestering an equivalent amount or purchasing carbon credits to […]

Conservation professionals, sustainability technologists and more have been discussing carbon neutrality—balancing your carbon footprint—for a while. To achieve carbon neutrality, enterprises calculate the amount of carbon emitted and actively offset that amount, by either sequestering an equivalent amount or purchasing carbon credits to make up the difference. Recently, a similar term has come to fruition: water neutrality. But unlike carbon neutrality, how might an enterprise achieve “water neutrality?” An enterprise can’t “produce” water… can they?

Not exactly, but there are tools and systems to help achieve the goal of water neutrality. According to a 2008 UNESCO report, “‘Water neutral’ means that one reduces the water footprint of an activity as much as reasonably possible and offsets the negative externalities of the remaining water footprint.” The report later mentions that water neutrality can be “can be an instrument to raise awareness, stimulate measures that reduce water footprints and generate funds for the sustainable and fair use of freshwater resources.”

Businesses like Coca Cola—which generally have large water footprints in their supply chain—can use water neutrality to help minimize and offset the impact their production has on their surrounding communities. By establishing long-term sustainable water resources—such as investing in local watershed and natural resource protection as well as enhancing equitable access to freshwater resources—these businesses and large water users can help to be a part of a solution rather than a detriment.

At recent sustainability conference hosted by Sustainable Silicon Valley, Microsoft’s Sustainability Program Manager, Katie Ross, announced that its Silicon Valley Campus redevelopment would make the Mountain View, California office the first net-zero water campus in Silicon Valley: 100 percent of the building’s non-potable water demand will be met with rainwater or recycled water.

“Beyond drinking fountains, sinks and showers, not a drop will come from municipal reservoirs,” Microsoft explains on their blog. Firstly, Microsoft will maximize water efficiency in indoor fixtures and irrigation systems while utilizing drought-tolerant plant materials.

Secondly, Microsoft will install a state-of-the-art, on-site water reuse system. The system will capture rainwater and wastewater (water that goes down the drain and toilet), filter and treat the water to acceptable levels, and then use the same water for non-potable applications like cooling towers, irrigation and toilet flushing. Curious how water recycling is safe for tenants? Read more on graywater in a previous Banyan blog.

Microsoft’s efforts address one of California’s paramount environmental issues: water scarcity and population growth. Most of the Bay Area’s water supply comes from the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and—more often than not—is only used once before flowing onward to the Pacific Ocean. As drought conditions intensify, the state’s largest water users must think innovatively and invest in water reuse systems like Microsoft’s to break the scarcity cycle and maximize the value of the water.

For smaller businesses and property owners without Microsoft-sized resources or scalability, tackling or achieving water neutrality might seem intimidating, if not impossible. One of the simplest places to start is by effectively tracking and understanding your building’s water demand.

Tools like Banyan Water’s Indoor Insight can help visualize and clarify water demand in real time, identifying the simplest steps to lowering water demand. Another simple solution for new developments include local utility offerings for recycled water for non-potable applications. These purple pipes can provide reused water from a central treatment center, usually at a discounted rate. Lastly, as water rates increase, proving the business case for on-site water recycling systems like Microsoft’s will be easier and easier. Could your business build the next net-zero water building?

Have more questions about how you can track and reduce your water demand? Contact us to let Banyan’s experts create a customized water management plan for your business!

]]>http://banyanwater.com/deep-end-water-neutrality/feed/0No water is wastewater: Exploring decentralized water reuse and recyclinghttp://banyanwater.com/no-water-wastewater-exploring-decentralized-water-reuse-recycling/
http://banyanwater.com/no-water-wastewater-exploring-decentralized-water-reuse-recycling/#respondThu, 15 Feb 2018 14:33:56 +0000http://banyanwater.com/?p=1940Microsoft and Salesforce, two of the world’s leading technology companies, announced they will be including onsite water treatment systems for decentralized water reuse and recycling in their newest campuses. Although the projects are different in scope—one for a suburban campus and the other an urban high rise—they both tackle an issue that demands our attention: […]

]]>Microsoft and Salesforce, two of the world’s leading technology companies, announced they will be
including onsite water treatment systems for decentralized water reuse and recycling in their newest
campuses. Although the projects are different in scope—one for a suburban campus and the other an
urban high rise—they both tackle an issue that demands our attention: the growing need for more
efficient water usage in the built environment.

Potable water—water clean enough to drink—constituted only about 5 percent of a commercial office
building’s water demands. The other 95 percent of water is allocated for applications like irrigation,
cooling tower water makeup, toilet flushing and laundry facilities. That 95 percent is defined as ‘non-
potable’ water, or non-drinking quality water. When you take a step back and realize we use Earth’s
most precious resource for non-potable applications, it seems misguided at best. Thus, onsite or
decentralized wastewater treatment projects—like those under construction by Microsoft and
Salesforce—are becoming more prevalent.

Decentralized water treatment in action
The Microsoft project in Silicon Valley is designed to achieve net zero non-potable water certification
under the Living Building Challenge. Microsoft’s goal? To utilize the non-potable water more than once.
For example, using the leftover water from cooling towers and faucets over and over again. This practice
leads to significantly less consumption of potable water from the local utility.

Salesforce also recently partnered with the City of San Francisco and Salesforce’s property developer,
Boston Properties, on their newest building, Salesforce Tower, to create one of the first commercial
black water reuse systems. The new system will become the largest onsite water recycling system in a
commercial high rise, utilizing 100 percent of used water from faucets, water fountains, urinals and
toilets for other non-drinkable purposes—after treatment and re-allocation for a separate pipe
network—such as toilet flushing and rooftop cooling tower makeup. Salesforce’s recycling system is
expected to reduce the building’s total potable water consumption by an astounding 76 percent.

Shifting away from the centralized status quo
The alternative is centralized water treatment, a process currently utilized across the U.S. With
centralized water treatment, both grey and black water—water discharged from sinks, showers and
water fountains or effluent from toilet flushing, respectively—are transported from homes and buildings
to a wastewater treatment facility, where they are filtered and treated to acceptable contaminate level
standards under the Clean Water Act, then discharged into a local waterway.

Centralized water treatment provides several challenges that a decentralized, or onsite, method
addresses. Onsite water reuse shifts the burden and cost of wastewater transportation and treatment
away from the public sector, therefore posing a solution to the urgent need to repair our country’s
water-related infrastructure and the lack of funding to complete infrastructure projects. Still, there are
several barriers to more prevalent onsite treatment systems, primarily in policy and public perception.

Currently, most building codes and regulations use centralized water distribution via wastewater
capture and treatment centers, making the introduction of smaller scale and decentralized water treatment challenging in practice, even if desired. That practice, however, is beginning to shift. The city
of San Francisco recently created legislation that requires any newly developed building larger than
250,000 square feet to build and operate an onsite greywater and rainwater capture and reuse system.

Waste not, want not
Another important consideration in implementing onsite water reuse is the public’s understanding and
perception, an issue referred to as the “yuck factor.” Reusing water from toilets does seem unsettling at
first, however with modern treatment standards in place and by utilizing separate piping systems to
ensure all treated water is used solely for non-potable applications… we have nothing to fear.
It is time to end our thinking about the water system in a linear fashion. Rather, we must think of water
as a feedback loop, not dissimilar to the water cycle we each learned about in grade school. Perhaps it is
time we eliminate the term ‘wastewater’ altogether.
— –
Infographic courtesy of the William J. Worthen Foundation and Urban Fabrick. Click here to access their
onsite water reuse practice guide for design professionals.